ATHENS, Ga. — The Georgia Bulldogs opened up SEC play against South Carolina, defeating the Gamecocks 40-13 inside a packed-out Sanford Stadium. The game was kept close at the beginning of the contest, but UGA maintained momentum to drive past their first conference matchup against the Gamecocks.

The Bulldogs began the game on offense with a combination of run and short-yardage passing plays to open up the field. After marching down the field to start the game, running back James Cook got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first after an explosive 23-yard run into the endzone. The Gamecocks took over on their offensive end and responded to Georgia with a field goal to make the score 7-3 with 8:51 left in the quarter. Georgia added another touchdown after JT Daniels and wide receiver Jermaine Burton connect on a 73-yard bomb to allow the Bulldogs to lead by two scores. On the next Bulldog possession, Daniels was picked off by a Gamecocks defender, which led to another successful field goal score from South Carolina to make it 14-6.

In the second quarter, Georgia increased their offensive intensity by driving down the field to set up a 38-yard TD pass from Daniels to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. A few possessions later, the Gamecocks forced a three-and-out situation on the Bulldogs and forced them to punt. A successful punt from UGA’s Jake Camarda, pinned South Carolina on their own 1-yard line to begin the drive. On the very next play, the Bulldogs sent pressure and picked up the safety with a sack from defensive lineman Jordan Davis and edge-rusher Nolan Smith on the Gamecocks to make the score 23-6. A successful 36-yard field goal from kicker Jack Podlesny gave the Bulldogs a 26-6 lead at the halftime break.

After halftime, the defense continued to pile up pressure on the Gamecocks’ offense, making it difficult for them to find a rhythm. At the 14:13-mark, the ball was picked off by UGA’s defensive back Derion Kendrick and returned to South Carolina’s own 20-yard line. A strong run from running back Zamir White, set up his 5-yard touchdown run to make the score 33-6 following a successful field goal kick. On South Carolina’s next offensive possession, Smith recorded a sack-strip on Gamecocks’ quarterback Luke Doty and the ball was recovered by Quay Walker on UGA’s 47-yard line. A series of successful downs for Georgia equaled up to another touchdown score from Cook on a 4-yard reception from Daniels to make the Bulldogs lead 40-6 with 7:37 left in the quarter, putting the game out of reach for the Gamecocks.

Georgia’s offense has not missed a beat since their opening game against Clemson. Against South Carolina, the Bulldogs racked in 491 yards of total offense, opposed to the Gamecocks’ 310. UGA’s Daniels was the leading passer in the game, completing 23 out of 31 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Daniels was ruled active ahead of the game after sitting out against UAB due to suffering an injury back in Week 1 against Clemson. Sophomore running back Kendall Milton led the Bulldogs in rushing on 10 carries for 66 yards. White and Cook were both the second leaders in rushing with 51 yards. On defense, edge-man Smith exploded for eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble against the Gamecocks. Channing Tindall was the second leading tackler for the Georgia defense, coming in with seven total. Linebacker Adam Anderson also picked up a sack in the game against South Carolina.

Next week, the Bulldogs will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at Noon EST.

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